Celebrating the life of Raymond Crenshaw

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Obituary for Raymond Crenshaw

Raymond “Ray” Crenshaw, 86 of York transitioned early on Sunday morning, December 9, 2018. He was the son of the late Cess Crenshaw and Christena “Whitley” Daniels.

Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Ray accepted his calling in Christianity as a young lad, teaching Sunday School at a very early age. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1955. After serving in the United States Air Force he relocated to York, where Mrs. Helen Thackston took him on as her own son. He graduated with an associate’s degree from York Jr. College. Then he received a Bachelor’s in sociology from Lincoln University in 1959. He later earned a Masters in Government Administration from the University of Pa.

He worked with the York County Board of Assistance, as a welfare caseworker. He was a key member of the York Charrette, which was formed to address the civil unrest of 1969. Ray served on the Governor’s Branch Office, programs that lead him to open 17 locations across Pennsylvania. He worked in mental health, and severed two terms on the York City School Board. He has also served as Board Director of the York County Chamber Of Commerce, the York Foundation, The United Way of York, Logos Academy, ARC, Minority Business Loan Committee Chairman, managed Voter Registration drives, involved in York Counts, The Minority Business Taskforce, Human Rights Audit Committee former Director, Strand Capital Performing Arts former Board of Directors, on the African American Roundtable, South York Lion’s Club, former Board of Director for the York City Human Relations Commission and served as the former President of the NAACP of York. As an Entrepreneur, he was co-owner of Suburban Dry Cleaners and owner of Atlas Steel Fabrication Company.

He was executive board member on the York County Commission Against Racism. Ray was one of the founding members of WYCCAR. He held the position of president for Crispus Attucks Community Center several times throughout his career. An organization he helped to start, and hoped to remain on the Centers board until death. Ray served as a councilman for the City of York many terms. As a member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African- American to seek the Mayor’s office, for the City of York. Missing the party’s primary’s, by just 127 votes. Ray continued to help his community. Too numerous to list, Ray has received various Awards and Citations. He is honored to be the name-sake for the annual community award recognizing excellence called The Ray Crenshaw Neighborhood Awards.

He leaves to mourn his memory, his wife, Dorothie (Dottie) of 28 years, his sons, Raymond Russell (Audra) and Robert Louis (Beth) of York. Through this blended family are three children, Marcia Terry (Deon), of York, Marilynne Mixon (John) of Woodbridge, VA, and Mark Green, II (Tabetha) of Mount Wolf, PA. Ray leaves 15 grandchildren, 4 great children, one sister, Kim Crenshaw, and one brother, Charles Crenshaw, both of Houston, Texas. He also leaves a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ray had a great love for his Lord and the church. He served on the Usher Board, as Sunday School Superintendent, Adult Sunday School teacher, Chairman of the Trustee Board, Member of the Men’s Chorus, the Pastor’s Steward, Treasurer of the Ministry of Kindness Benevolent offering, head of Lay Council, and was humble enough to be the chief Pot and Pans washer. Not only for many years to the church, Ray’s generosity and loyalty extended to family, friends and strangers. A bold trailblazer, he has left a legacy for many years to come!

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